Rediscover Paper Models – Get Crafty

There is something wonderfully old world about paper models, and not just because they’ve been around in Asia for thousands of years and in Europe since the 1600s. They hearken back to more simple times, where some paper, scissors, and glue were all that were needed to create castles stately homes, villages, and even cityscapes.

The Internet has made paper model patterns more accessible than ever, and this gives us the perfect chance to get crafty and start playing with paper. It is time to let modern tech shine a new light on an old pastime, and rediscover how much fun making paper models can be.

An Old Hobby

The earliest commercial paper models appeared in France in 1800, a little bit before granny and grandpa came along to start building their own. Paper modelling became especially popular during the Second World War, as paper production and use was not regulated too heavily.

In 1941, a brand called Micromodels appeared in England. The brand published 100 different models of aircraft, ships, and buildings. However, as plastic became used more commonly, old-time paper models began to fall from grace as plastic models grew in prominence.

What It’s All About

You can draw patterns for paper models at home yourself, if you have the skills. If not, you can purchase commercial models, or download them for free online. That’s one of the wonderful things about the Internet – you can do stuff for free, such as play online casino no deposit games.

Patterns can be drawn or printed on heavy paper, card stock, paperboard, or even foam. The materials required depend on the complexity and style of the model you want to build.

Origami, for example, uses a single sheet of paper that gets folded, rather than glued or cut. Card modelling involves cutting model parts out of cardstock sheets using scissors or a craft knife, and then folding and gluing the pieces together as per the directions.

The sheer range of paper model patterns available is astounding. There is a model for just about every interest, no matter what the age of the builder. You can choose from cottages with patterns simple enough to fit on a single sheet of cardstock, a fantasy building that requires hundreds of pages in a dedicated book or folio, or anything in between.

Essential Equipment for Paper Models

Before you rush off and start printing off hundreds of paper model patters, make sure you have all the equipment and tools you need. Much of the initial outlay will not need to be spend again, so you can be sure of many hours of enjoyment at what is ultimately a small expense.

Paper modelling essentials:

• Cutting mat
• Craft knife
• Sharp paper or craft scissors
• Safety pin to help score folds
• Point-tip tweezers
• Ruler
• Acid-free, pH neutral PVA glue

Once you have these basics, all you need to do is find a pattern you like and print it out. Take a good look at the numbering of the folds and flaps, as well as what the final product needs to look like, and then get started.